By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown says the increase in the City's homicide rate is a "tremendous frustration". His reaction follows two murders that occurred last Friday.
Buffalo's homicide rate has swelled in recent months. As of last Friday, 51 murders were recorded so far this year. For all of last year, there were 56 in the City, and not since the early 1990's has Buffalo witnessed this pace of homicides. In 1994, a record 92 murders occurred.
Mayor Brown says one homicide is one too many. But much of the violence is attributed to turf wars, gangs and drugs.
Meanwhile, additional funding to help aid the city in its war against violent crime has been added.
U.S. Attorney Terrance Flynn, of the Western District of New York, says Buffalo is being awarded $175,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice to increase its Weed and Seed program.
Weed and Seed is designed to prevent, control and reduce violent crimes, gangs and drugs. Two programs already exist in Buffalo. One is on the East Side, the other is the West Side.
But now a third Weed and Seed site will be added to the lower East Side in the Broadway Fillmore district. WBFO'S Eileen Buckley reports.
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